Switched by Jessica Wollman

Author:Jessica Wollman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780375849039
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2008-07-07T21:00:00+00:00

19

Great new look! Great new formula!!

—Zout Stain Remover

It’s really a good thing that Caleb has a girlfriend, Laura told herself for the millionth time.

She stared down at the brown plasticine substance on her plate—Salisbury steak, according to the Fenwick dining hall—and frowned.

No wonder Willa was so obsessed with food, if she’d been subjected to this stuff every night.

Laura’s eyes traveled across the room to Caleb and Courtney’s oh-so-cozy table in a quiet corner of the cafeteria. Caleb had invited her to join them, but Laura had declined, insisting that she had some last-minute summer reading to finish. Everyone had known it was a lie, but he hadn’t pushed. The murderous look on Courtney’s face, combined with her death-lock grip, had probably weighed heavily in his decision.

So now Laura was alone. None of the happy, chattering voices bouncing around the dining hall were meant for her.

The current of mingled conversations pulled her away from her tray and Laura found her gaze drifting back to Caleb. He was talking, his face animated and expressive, his hair tousled.

Laura ducked her head. Why was she torturing herself?

This is the way it was supposed to be, she thought, staring at the empty seat next to her. I’m not here to become homecoming queen.

And Caleb Blake wasn’t part of the plan either.

Laura stood and lifted her tray, her back straight and stiff. Just pull the Band-Aid off quickly, she thought.

As she walked toward the dorm, she forced herself to digest every magnificent building, walkway and blade of grass that comprised the quad.

When I’m by myself I don’t have any distractions, she thought as she leaned over to read a plaque outside the infirmary. I can really get to know the campus history.

“Willa Pogue?”

She started. A middle-aged woman in a blue terry-cloth jogging suit was standing next to her, perhaps a bit too close, scrutinizing her through intense brown eyes.

“I’m sorry,” the woman said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“That’s okay.”

How does this woman know Willa? Laura wondered. Tiny dots of perspiration decorated her forehead.

“I’m Mrs. Flemming,” the woman said, extending her hand.

“Willa Pogue.”

“I thought so. I manage the infirmary and since everyone usually comes to see me at some point during the year I try to introduce myself—even before you really need me,” Mrs. Flemming explained. She was practically glowing at the thought of Laura’s future illness.

“Uh, that’s nice.” Laura felt like her head was about to explode. Mrs. Flemming knew Willa?

Laura excused herself as quickly as possible. She was annoyed at Willa for not doing her research. This was so typical. All Willa had to do was look at the faculty listings and Laura could’ve been better prepared.

There were two girls sitting on the porch of Hubbard House drinking bottled water. One had curly black hair that she wore tied back in a ponytail. The other had straight, light brown hair. Their tennis racquets were in cases, leaning off to the side.

Laura climbed the steps, unsure of what do with her eyes. Should she look

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